Baltimore Ravens: Top 5 Fantasy Football Players in 2012

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After the 2011 NFL preseason, most Baltimore Ravens fans thought that wide receiver Torrey Smith was going to be riding the bench his rookie year.

He looked out of place and was dropping everything.

Fast forward to today, and every Ravens fan considers Smith to be the biggest playmaking receiver on the team.

Heading into the 2012 season, here are the top five fantasy football options on the Ravens.

5. Dennis Pitta, TE

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After only catching one pass his rookie season, Dennis Pitta became a bigger part of the Baltimore Ravens offense in 2011, catching 40 passes for over 400 yards.

It appeared as the Ravens got deeper into their season, Pitta and Joe Flacco had better chemistry.

Pitta is ranked above the Ravens other tight end Ed Dickson, because Pitta showed he had much more reliable hands last season.

Heading into 2012, look for the Ravens to use their tight ends much more similarly to how the New England Patriots use Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.

4. Anquan Boldin, WR

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Since Anquan Boldin came over to the Baltimore Ravens, he has failed to live up to expectations. 

Boldin has not been a bust by any means, but he is not putting up the Pro Bowl numbers that he did with the Arizona Cardinals.

Look to make Boldin the No. 3 fantasy wide receiver on your team in a PPR league, because he is still Joe Flacco's go-to receiving target.

3. Joe Flacco, QB

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When it comes to Joe Flacco in fantasy football, you know exactly what you are getting.

Flacco is never going to have any great statistical games that can carry your fantasy football team to victory, but you can rely on him each week for around 200 passing yards and two touchdown passes.

In each of his last three seasons, Flacco has thrown for over 3600 yards and at least 20 touchdowns. 

Flacco is worth drafting as your No. 2 fantasy quarterback if your starting quarterback is either Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees or Tom Brady.

2. Torrey Smith, WR

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Torrey Smith was the breakout player of the year for the Baltimore Ravens last season.

He immediately gave them the vertical threat that their offense had been missing and came up with several big catches.

After catching three touchdown passes in his first game with the Ravens, Smith ended up finishing the season with 841 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

Heading into only his second season, Smith is poised to break the 1000-receiving-yard mark. Smith should make a solid No. 3 fantasy receiver option and you should target him in the later rounds.

1. Ray Rice, RB

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No surprise here. Ray Rice is the Baltimore Ravens entire offense. Whether he is running, catching or even throwing the ball (threw a touchdown pass to Ed Dickson against the Seattle Seahawks in 2011), Rice is doing it all.

A top-three fantasy draft pick in every league, Rice is perhaps the best running back in PPR leagues.

Not only did he rush for over 1300 yards last season, but he also caught 76 passes for more than 700 yards.

In a PPR league, I would take Rice with the No. 1 pick because he is guaranteed to touch the ball at least 20 times a game.